Trying to get from a size 12 to a size 8... anyone want to join me?

[whereiscaroline]

I was determined that this year would be the year and so far all I've done is gain weight.

After crying this morning because none of my clothes fit, tomorrow I am starting again. I'm planning to calorie count - anyone want to join to support each other through, on any WOE?

Can I join?
I haven't weighed in weeks. Too scared!

@becca3210 I could have written your post (except my pre and post baby weights are both a little higher than yours ) The thing which spurred me on to start trying to lose weight was my stomach which suddenly started to make me look about 3-4 months pregnant. Not good!

Also really missing those treats through the day though. I didn't realise how much I'd got used to them. Am experimenting with lots of different fruit teas etc but I'm not going to lie, I preferred the maltesers

@TripleB32

I weigh every day. Probably not the best but it helps me keep track more and be a bit more accountable to myself. I'm 69kg, want to get to 61kg ideally, I just can't seem to shift anything substantial!

I do the same. It's helping me stay focus.

I bought alpro soya yogurt today. I was looking for something feeling but less calories. The none sugar one was very low in calories.

@blueskyemily I know they don't quite cut it do they. I can't get excited over a banana! Haha

Took some 'before' photos so that hopefully I can lose some weight and see a difference. They were v depressing so hope that will give me a kick up the bum to stay on track

@LaPufalina

I'm 10st 8 this morning and those numbers need to swap reckon I can do it by Christmas at 1lb a week. I tried noom but didn't click with me, not sure I can be arsed with weight watchers, MFP has worked before but the American foods get in the way; anyone got any UK based ones that work? I'd prob get a bit of intermittent fasting in there too. Not sure im noom might be it and I just need to give it another go

Nutracheck?

I went for a walk with my teenager yesterday, busy chatting away didn't realise we walked 3.96miles!! So my plan is to take her with me every other day (every day is too much for a 16yr old to be seen with her mum 😂)
I've reduced my sugar intake and have been having salads for lunch. This week I lost 1.6lbs, I really need to introduce a HIT workout at home 🤔

The body coach twenty minute HITT work outs on YouTube are good. You get a good sweat on. I had a few wkend treats but also some good choices so a mixed bag health wise need to get back on healthy stuff only tomorrow

Everyone seems to be doing really well and it's encouraging.

I've been pretty good with food this weekend, I even turned down a slice of cake at work!

Day off tomorrow and there's a 5k loop round my local park that I want to try (I won't time myself 😂).

Keep up the good work ladies.

Sounds like everyone is doing well and staying on track!

First week is done and I'm 1.5lbs down! Happy with that, now let's see if I can keep it up.

Weekends haven't been great for me. More effort will be made this.

I was 10’7 a month ago, 10’5 two weeks ago and 10’3 two days ago. Was feeling quite pleased with myself for not necking armfuls of biscuits on an evening, but I’m back to 10’5 today (but due on). Definitely finding it harder to shift in my 40’s!!

Could I join please? Everyone seems to be doing well. I need some encouragement and accountability! I'm 5' 3 and weighing in today at 9st 10. I'm happy at 9st 3, and haven't been lower than that in my adult life, but really want to be 9st or just under. I was trying to not focus on my weight too much, as I do lots of exercise and sometimes notice I'm not losing weight but my clothes do feel better, however I do now want to use this thread to help control my eating and see some results on the scales. I exercise most days, mainly running between 5 and 10k, and I do circuits once or twice a week. I would like to improve my diet Monday to Thursday, and most of Friday, as I don't want a complete restriction or I will become miserable. I feel the fact I exercise a lot and am not completely unhappy with myself, I don't feel I need to be so strict at weekends. But at the minute I am basically exercising to eat what I want.
I'm now trying to do low or no carb throughout the week but as a chocolate and bagels addict, I'm finding it so difficult! Although my new favourites are egg 'muffins' in the oven with various fillings, and baked porridge oats with protein powder (obviously not no carb, but with white choc protein powder they satisfy a sweet craving!)

@Begonias I really rate Bodyfit by Amy on YouTube

I need to improve my eating.

Tomorrow I have a body pump class. I need to start lifting. Which won't make me lighter but will help my metabolism. And I need muscle mass.

Once I am braver I will go to the actual gym. But classes will do for now.

Does anyone have a good strength routine?

I would try to graduate from Bodypump if you can, just because it's a tonne of reps at a really light weight (like around 800 per class) whereas even Crossfit (which gets criticised for too being high rep, although v gym dependent) would only be around 200-300. Bodypump is basically not a very efficient way to build strength, albeit you will get a "pump" (aesthetic).

If you can, just brave the weights at the gym - ignore the bro's. Half of them are doing it wrong anyway . Maybe just take a photo on your phone of the machines, and then just look them up on YouTube if you want to see how they work. Because the machines work in a fixed range of motion, they are easier than free weights as they will correct your form to an extent. Do 3 to 4 sets of 10-12 reps with 2 good reps left in the tank at the end of each set. You can alternate sets to save time so long as it's not the same muscle group. Then when you feel more confident, graduate to free weights.

Good morning all. Not posted for a few days as it's been a tough week. DS got Covid at school after having avoided picking it up from his brother so we all went back into isolation and then he kindly passed it on to me. 😢. Seem to be past the worst of it now. Weight loss wise I stuck religiously to my 1200 c but the scale stalled at 9 5 for over and one day even read 9 7 which a bit disheartening. However I'm used to daily weighing and knew that a big jump can follow a period like this if I stick at it as it's all about how much water you drink/hold.
Yesterday I finally got below 9 5 but only just at 9 4.8 so at least it was going in the right direction. Yesterday DH made me drink more water as I was becoming dehydrated and today the scales read 9 2.8. So it looks like I'm back on track. This also demonstrates the importance of drinking plenty of water especially when trying to lose weight.
Good luck to everyone else -sounds like we are all getting there slowly.

@mumski45 well done on getting below 9 5! That would be amazing if I could get down that low.

Scale showed a 3lb loss since my starting weight this morning so I'm happy about that!

I tried on some summer dresses from a few years ago (have been pregnant/postpartum the past couple of years so no chance to wear them) and could actually zip them up which was nice. They still don't look right yet though.

One thing I find so depressing is my stomach. Even though my weight has fluctuated in the past, I always still managed to keep a flat stomach but not this time.

I'm 35 and have had two kids so I don't know if I can have a flat stomach again...I got it back after my first child but maybe the second was a stretch too far?! Guess I just need to keep losing the weight and see what happens.

Hello, hoping to join you all please. I want to lose 7-10lbs to get back to a size 10 🙏 I’ve been trying to ignore my expanding midriff and with working from home this has been quite easy as I wear comfy clothes all day instead of squeezing into work stuff but when I found myself contemplating replacing my jeans with stretchy jeggings I realised action was needed! The final straw was trying to get dressed up for a party last night (first time since pre-lockdown) and the dress I’d planned on wearing was uncomfortably tight and didn’t look right - I just felt restricted and chunky. Ended up wearing a loose floaty number but felt like a frump.

I’ve re-downloaded mfp and to combat disappointment of weekly weigh-ins I’ve also downloaded Happy Scale and will try to remember to weigh daily to capture all the inevitable fluctuations over the week.

Feeling motivated and hoping to actually stick with it for a few weeks this time! I’d already ordered a Hello Fresh delivery to arrive tomorrow so they’ll be ok evening meals (they supposedly serve 2 but we include DS and the portions are still really big). I’m planning on mostly just having porridge or muesli mid-morning and then the evening meal, but if I’m hungry later on I’ll have some cals left for a bowl of cereal or such like. As a pp said, I can quite easily eat not too much in the day and prefer to have something nice to eat in the evening.

Today is day 1 🎉

Well done everyone. Did have a cheeky wkend brownie but also do a HITT workout. Managed to be good during the week. Sugar cravings are going down so that's a plus as usually sooo ready for chocolate come the evening.

Morning all 👋 Weighed this morning and 1lb down, which is very encouraging after a day. The idea behind Happy Scale and daily weighing is that it takes away the pressure/expectation of a weekly weigh in and you just record the daily weight in the app. I’m usually an infrequent weigher and do find it a stressful experience normally so I’m hoping this method works better for me.

Weighed in at 70 this morning which is -3 vs. starting weight but pretty sure a lot of that is dehydration as I was on the massive lash last night for my friend's leaving party (no willpower whatsoever).

That said, I have definitely leaned out a bit in my legs. Gym habit is paying off.

I probably should actually try tracking macros but I just dont have the mental bandwidth at the moment. Kids on residential camp this week (hopefully) so I might try to do some meal planning and try to be a bit more organised.

I'm 35 and have had two kids so I don't know if I can have a flat stomach again...I got it back after my first child but maybe the second was a stretch too far?! Guess I just need to keep losing the weight and see what happens

Are we the same person?! 😂 Exactly how it is for me. Can't seem to lose the mum tum.

I've been out running three times this week and if nothing else it's helping my anxiety. Not eaten any biscuits at work either.

Any tips for keeping the sugar cravings at bay? I've been using low fat hot chocolate but getting bored of that now.

@TrufflyPig

I'm 35 and have had two kids so I don't know if I can have a flat stomach again...I got it back after my first child but maybe the second was a stretch too far?! Guess I just need to keep losing the weight and see what happens

Are we the same person?! 😂 Exactly how it is for me. Can't seem to lose the mum tum.

I've been out running three times this week and if nothing else it's helping my anxiety. Not eaten any biscuits at work either.

Any tips for keeping the sugar cravings at bay? I've been using low fat hot chocolate but getting bored of that now.

I also desperately need some tips for avoiding sugar cravings, that's my biggest downfall!

I can't beat sugar cravings. I think the only solution is to go cold turkey and stop completely.

And it is really hard because the stuff is everywhere. (I broke today as I ate a coconut Bueno. :-(